Larry Shenk, Vice President of Alumni Relations, shares his notes, quotes and anecdotes from the world of baseball.

Historic All-Star Home Run

July 7, 1964: A two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning by RF Johnny Callison gives the NL a dramatic 7-4 victory in the All-Star Game at Shea Stadium. Callison’s blast to the right field seats comes off the Boston Red Sox’ fireballing RHP Dick Radatz. He’s the only Phillie to win the ASG MVP Award.

All-Star Chase
Congratulations to Chase for being elected a starter for the sixth time. Only Mike Schmidt’s nine is greater for the Phillies. Chase was previously elected in 2006-7-8-9-10.

There have been four other Phillies second baseman chosen as starters by the fans:
Emil Verban (1947
Granny Hamner (1954)
Manny Trillo (1982)
Mariano Duncan (1984)

Unsightly
When teams are clicking, scoring runs, getting good pitching from starters and the pen, good defense and smart baseball, numbers turn gaudy. When the opposite happens, numbers turn unsightly.

For the Phillies right now, unsightly is the description. A sweep in Pittsburgh once again showed the unsightly offense. 11 total hits in the three losses. 6 total runs while the Pirates plated 8 first-inning runs alone. Don’t remember the last time that happened.

Looking for an easy, quick answer? There is no such animal. It is a matter of grinding it out, battling every day, every at-bat. Baseball can be a cruel game at times. It won’t be easy, especially since the Phillies begin a four-game series in Milwaukee, home of the NL Central, first-place Brewers. Phillies are 21-21 in Miller Park, regular season.

Number of the Day
328: Runs Phillies have scored, 11th in the NL. Don’t worry, the Phillies won’t touch their club record for fewest runs in a season: 394 in 151 games in 1942.

Minor League Report
Lehigh Valley won 1 of 3 games, a 9-8, 16-inning win on Saturday night in Rochester. Boarded a bus at 2 a.m. for Indianapolis where they were shut out, 4-0, yesterday, getting 5 hits. 3B Maikel Franco, 0-4 yesterday after hot streak of 9-17 in previous 3 games, 3 HR, 6 RBI. Darin Ruf was activated from the DL and optioned to LV, 0-3 as a LF yesterday.

Reading 1-3 for the weekend, getting 24 singles in the 4 games, 11 in a 6-2 win yesterday. Severino Gonzalez (5-9) picked up the win, his first since May 17. RF Peter Lavin, .342 in last 10 games.

Clearwater lost, 5-1, getting 6 hits, all singles on Friday. Rained out Saturday and second game on Sunday. First game on Sunday, leading, 2-0, after 2.5 innings when suspended after a 1:05 rain delay. Cliff Lee, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO in first rehab start. Next tentative start, Wednesday at Tampa.

More This Date
July 7, 1979: 3B Mike Schmidt homers in four consecutive at-bats for the second time in his career. Schmidt homers in his final at-bat on July 6 and connects in his first three at-bats on this date against San Francisco. Giants win, 8-6.

July 7, 1993: SS Kevin Stocker makes his major league debut in one of the Vet’s longest games. Los Angeles scored twice in the ninth to send the game into extra innings. It all ends with CF Lenny Dykstra’s two-run double in the bottom of the 20th inning, a 7-6 win. It matches the longest game in Vet history, May 4, 1973 vs. Atlanta.

July 7, 2009: Sold out Citizens Bank Park begins a streak of 257 games in which the Phillies had a sellout at home, longest streak ever in the National League.

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